Two US Navy jets collide and crash at Idaho air show; all crew safely eject
Consensus Summary
Two US Navy EA-18G Growler jets from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 collided mid-air during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on May 17, 2026. All four crew members safely ejected and parachuted to the ground, and no injuries were reported among spectators or base personnel. The crash, which sparked a contained fire, occurred near the base about 50 miles south of Boise, though ABC reports it was closer to 3.2 kilometers from the base. The air show was immediately canceled, and the base was locked down as emergency responders investigated the incident. This was the first Gunfighter Skies event since 2018, when a hang glider pilot died during an air show. The crash is under investigation by Naval Air Forces, and witnesses shared footage of the collision, which ended in an explosion upon impact. While most sources agree the air show was canceled, ABC uniquely reports that some events, like munition demonstrations, continued afterward.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Two US Navy EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) collided mid-air during the Gunfighter Skies air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, on May 17, 2026.
- Four crew members (two pilots per aircraft) safely ejected and parachuted to the ground; all were unharmed and being evaluated by medical personnel.
- The crash occurred about 50 miles (80 km) south of Boise, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, during a demonstration by the EA-18G 'Vikings' Growler Demo Team.
- The air show was canceled immediately after the incident, and the base was locked down; emergency responders and crash fire rescue teams were on the scene.
- The Gunfighter Skies air show was the first held at Mountain Home Air Force Base since 2018, when a hang glider pilot died during an air show performance.
- A fire was sparked by the crash, but it was contained; spectators were advised not to leave the base while emergency crews worked.
- Cmdr Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet, confirmed the incident and stated the crash was under investigation.
- The incident occurred around 1:00 PM local time during the air show.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Witness Shane Ogden filmed the collision, showing the jets making contact and spinning in tandem before ejecting; the planes exploded into a fireball upon impact.
- Kim Sykes, marketing director for Silver Wings of Idaho, confirmed no one at the military base was hurt and emphasized the priority of safety.
- The Mountain Home Air Force Base issued a social media post confirming the lockdown and investigation.
- The crash occurred during the 'gunfighter skies' air show, which was described as a celebration of aviation history and modern air force capabilities.
- An announcer at the air show reported 'four good parachutes' and that the crews were located one mile south of the smoke; spectators were asked to pray for the pilots.
- KTVB and The Idaho Statesman were cited as additional sources for the incident details.
- The Mountain Home Gunfighters confirmed the base was on lockdown via social media, specifying the incident occurred 'two miles northwest of the base'.
- The crash occurred about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) from Mountain Home Air Force Base, not 50 miles south of Boise (as stated in Guardian).
- Organizers shared photos of the air show's first days, calling it 'packed with unforgettable moments' before the incident.
- The base announced the air show area would remain open into the afternoon, with munition demonstrations and a meet-and-greet proceeding as scheduled.
- Colonel D Ray Gunter, commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, was quoted praising the event as a way to showcase airpower to the community.
- The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association was cited as a source for the 2018 hang glider fatality.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian and Newscomau state the crash occurred 'about 50 miles (80 km) south of Boise,' while ABC reports it happened '3.2 kilometers (2 miles) from Mountain Home Air Force Base.'
- ABC claims the air show area remained open into the afternoon with munition demonstrations continuing, while Guardian and Newscomau state the air show was canceled for the rest of the day.
- Guardian and Newscomau mention the crash occurred 'during a performance involving two EA-18G 'Vikings' Growler demo team aircraft,' but ABC does not explicitly state this was a demo team performance.
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Four crew members are safe after incident involving aircraft during weekend air show at military base in western Idaho Four crew members are safe after two navy jets collided and crashed to the ground on Sunday at an air show at Mountain Home air force base in western Idaho , officials said. The collision involved two US navy EA-18G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington , said Cmdr Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet. Cont
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